Wall-mounted washing machine

ABSTRACT

A wall-mounted washing machine includes a tub and a drying device. The drying device includes a fan coupled to the tub, a hot air supply duct coupled to the fan and configured to guide air propelled from the fan into the tub, a drying heater disposed inside the hot air supply duct and configured to heat the air introduced into the hot air supply duct, and a hot air discharge duct coupled to the tub and configured to guide the air passing through the tub toward the fan to cool and dehumidify the air passing through the tub. The fan is configured to draw air from the hot air discharge duct and to supply the air back to the hot air supply duct.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority from Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2017-0075992, filed on Jun. 15, 2017, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wall-mounted washing machines, moreparticularly, to drying mechanisms in wall-mounted washing machines.

BACKGROUND

In general, a wall-mounted washing machine can be installed and used ona wall, and typically has a compact design, making it advantageous touse in a small room space.

A typical wall-mounted washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub movablydisposed within the cabinet and configured to store washing water, adrum rotatably installed in the tub and configured to accommodatewashing objects, a drive unit configured to supply power to the drum, awater supply device configured to supply washing water into the tub, anda water drain device configured to drain the washing water from the tubto the outside of the cabinet.

During a washing operation, washing water is supplied into the tub andthe drum by the operation of the water supply device, and the drum isrotated by the drive unit. At the end of washing, washing watercontained in the tub and the drum is drained to the outside of thecabinet through the water drain device by the operation of the waterdrain device.

In recent years, there is a trend that the wall-mounted washing machineis equipped with a built-in drying device for drying washed objects.Typically, such a drying device is configured to dry washing objects bydrawing external air to a tub. In the case where hot drying air issupplied into the tub, there is a problem in that the air flowing intothe tub may not be efficiently circulated, which leads to reduced dryingefficiency.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide awall-mounted washing machine including a drying device that offersenhanced drying efficiency.

In accordance with an embodiment, there is provided a wall-mountedwashing machine, including: a tub; and a drying device, wherein thedrying device includes a fan coupled to the tub and configured to blowan air, a hot air supply duct coupled to the fan and configured to guidethe air blown from the fan into the tub, a drying heater provided insidethe hot air supply duct and configured to heat the air introduced intothe hot air supply duct, and a hot air discharge duct coupled to the tuband configured to guide the air passing through the tub toward the fanto cool and dehumidify the air passing through the tub, and the fan isconfigured to draw the air from the hot air discharge duct and to supplythe air to the hot air supply duct.

The fan, the hot air supply duct, the tub and the hot air discharge ductmay be configured to form a closed air circulation path through whichthe air moves.

In the washing machine, a condensing water introduction port throughwhich condensing water is introduced may be formed in the hot airdischarge duct, and at least one curved portion may be formed on onesurface of the hot air discharge duct opposed to the condensing waterintroduction port.

One surface of the hot air discharge duct may be curved to bulge towardthe condensing water introduction port.

The condensing water introduction port may be formed such that an areaof a longitudinal cross section grows larger from a central portiontoward opposite end portions.

The washing machine may further include: a rear panel configured tosupport the tub and capable of being hung on a wall surface; a drumrotatably installed inside the tub and configured to accommodate washingobjects; and a tub front panel coupled to a front surface of the tub.

The drying device may be configured to communicate with a front upperportion of the tub front panel and a rear lower portion of the tub.

In the washing machine, an end portion of the hot air supply duct on theside of the tub front panel may be coupled to the front upper portion ofthe tub front panel, and an end portion of the hot air discharge duct onthe side of the tub is coupled to the rear lower portion of the tub.

In the washing machine, a hot air introduction port through which hotair discharged from the hot air supply duct is introduced may be formedin the front upper portion of the tub front panel, and a hot airdischarge port through which hot air passing through the drum isdischarged may be formed in the rear lower portion of the tub.

In the washing machine, when the fan is operated, the air may be heatedby the drying heater while moving along the hot air supply duct and isintroduced into the tub through the tub front panel, and the air passingthrough the tub may be cooled and dehumidified by the condensing waterwhile moving along the hot air discharge duct and may be introduced intothe fan.

In the washing machine, at least one vent hole for circulating the airmay be formed in the rear panel.

In the washing machine, a plurality of ribs may be provided on a rearsurface of the rear panel, and end portions of the ribs may be cut awayto form air circulation grooves.

With the wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the drying efficiency of the drying device can beadvantageously enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the configuration of anexemplary wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing the configuration of theexemplary wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the exemplarywall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the exemplary wall-mounted washing machineaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state in which the exemplarywall-mounted washing machine is installed on a wall surface according toone embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an exemplaryrear panel and an exemplary tub according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the exemplary rear panel and the exemplary tubshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the exemplary rear panel and the exemplary tubshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the exemplary rear panel and theexemplary tub shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a left side view of the exemplary rear panel and theexemplary tub shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the exemplarydrying device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing the configuration of the exemplarydrying device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII′ in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrativeembodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claimsare not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, andother changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe subject matter presented here.

One or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which one or more exemplary embodiments of the disclosurecan be easily determined by those skilled in the art. As those skilledin the art will realize, the described exemplary embodiments may bemodified in various different ways, all without departing from thespirit or scope of the present disclosure, which is not limited to theexemplary embodiments described herein.

It is noted that the drawings are and are not necessarily illustrated toscale. Relative sizes and proportions of parts in the drawings may beexaggerated or reduced in size, and a predetermined size is merelyexemplary and not limiting. The same reference numerals designate thesame structures, elements, or parts illustrated in two or more drawingsin order to exhibit similar characteristics.

The exemplary drawings of the present disclosure illustrate idealexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail. As aresult, various modifications of the drawings are expected. Accordingly,the exemplary embodiments are not limited to a specific form of theillustrated region, and for example, may include modification of formdue to manufacturing.

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the configuration of anexemplary wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing theconfiguration of the exemplary wall-mounted washing machine in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the wall-mounted washing machine 1000according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a washingmachine hung on, affixed to, or otherwise installed on a wall surface W.The wall-mounted washing machine 1000 may include a housing 1060 formingan outer shell, and a rear panel 1010 coupled to a rear surface of thehousing 1060 and attached to the wall surface W. The housing 1060 mayinclude a side cover 1061 forming a side surface of the wall-mountedwashing machine 1000, a front cover 1062 forming a front surface of thewall-mounted washing machine 1000, and a door 1063 rotatably coupled tothe front cover 1062. A user may open the door 1063 to load or unloadwashing objects. Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of thewall-mounted washing machine 1000 according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure is described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the exemplarywall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the exemplary wall-mountedwashing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state in which the exemplarywall-mounted washing machine is installed on a wall surface according toone embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a perspective viewshowing the configuration of an exemplary rear panel and an exemplarytub according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is afront view of the exemplary rear panel and the exemplary tub shown inFIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the exemplary rear panel and theexemplary tub shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a right side view of theexemplary rear panel and the exemplary tub shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is aleft side view of the exemplary rear panel and the exemplary tub shownin FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 10, the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 mayinclude a rear panel 1010 that can be attached to a wall surface, a tub1020 configured to store washing water and supported by the rear panel1010, a drum 1030 rotatably installed inside the tub 1020 and configuredto accommodate washing objects, a drying device 1040 coupled to an outersurface of the tub 1020 and configured to dry the washing objects, adrive unit 1050 configured to supply power for rotating the drum 1030,and a housing 1060 coupled to the rear panel 1010 and configured to forman outer shell of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000.

The rear panel 1010 can be affixed to the wall surface W. For example,the rear panel 1010 may be hung on the wall surface W by fasteningmembers 1011 a. To this end, through-holes 1011 may be formed in therear panel 1010 for the fastening members 1011 a to pass through.

A method of hanging the rear panel 1010 on the wall surface W isdescribed below. A user may first install the fastening members 1011 aon the wall surface W and fit shock-absorbing members 1011 c to thefastening members 1011 a, which are used to attenuate shock andvibration produced during operations. Thereafter, the fastening members1011 a are inserted into the through-holes 1011 of the rear panel 1010.Subsequently, nut members 1011 b are coupled to the fastening members1011 a protruding forward from the rear panel 1010 via the through-holes1011. As a result, the rear panel 1010 is securely affixed to the wallsurface W.

A mounting groove portion 1012 may be formed on the rear surface of therear panel 1010 so that a space is formed between the rear panel 1010and the wall surface W. The mounting groove portion 1012 provides aspace between the rear panel 1010 and the wall surface W foraccommodating the drive unit 1050. During manufacturing, the mountinggroove portion 1012 may be formed by depressing the rear surface of therear panel 1010 by a predetermined depth.

At least one vent hole 1013 may be formed in the rear panel 1010. Forexample, a plurality of vent holes 1013 penetrating the rear panel 1010may be formed in the upper portion of the rear panel 1010. The ventholes 1013 allow air existing between the rear panel 1010 and thehousing 1060 to be discharged to the outside, thereby preventing the airinside the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 from being heated. In thedrawings, there is shown only a configuration in which a plurality ofvent holes 1013 are arranged in a rectangular shape in the upper portionof the rear panel 1010. However, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. The positions and shapes of the vent holes may vary indifferent embodiments, for example to improve discharge efficiency ofthe air.

A plurality of ribs 1014 may be disposed on the rear surface of the rearpanel 1010. The ribs 1014 may protrude from the rear surface of the rearpanel 1010, which can enhance the rigidity of the rear panel 1010. Inthis case, the end portions of the ribs 1014 may be partially cut awayto form air circulation grooves 1014 a. Due to the air circulationgrooves 1014 a, air passing through the vent holes 1013 may bedischarged to the outside.

The tub 1020 may be disposed on the front side of the rear panel 1010.During manufacturing, the tub 1020 may be substantially simultaneouslyinjection-molded with the rear panel 1010 and may be integrally formedwith the rear panel 1010. Alternatively, the tub 1020 may bemanufactured as a separate member and then coupled to the rear panel1010.

A water supply device 1022 and a water drain device 1023 may be coupledto the tub 1020. For example, the water supply device 1022 may becoupled to the upper portion of the tub 1020, and the water drain device1023 may be coupled to the lower portion of the tub 1020. However, thecoupling mechanisms between the water supply device 1022 and the waterdrain device 1023 may be replaced by other various mechanisms well-knownin the related art.

The water supply device 1022 may be coupled to an external water supplysource. For instance, once a user interacts with the operation unit 1062a to start a washing process, the water supply device 1022 may supplywashing water into the tub 1020. The washing water supplied to the tub1020 may enter the drum 1030 via washing water introduction holes 1030 adisposed on the outer surface of the drum 1030.

When the washing work is completed, the washing water may be drained tothe outside via the water drain device 1023 installed under the tub1020.

The drum 1030 may be rotatably coupled to the inside of the tub 1020.For example, a driving shaft 1031 may be coupled to the drum 1030. Thedriving shaft 1031 may be coupled to the drive unit 1050 disposed on therear surface of the rear panel 1010 so that the driving shaft 1031 canreceive power from the drive unit 1050.

The drive unit 1050 may be coupled to the rear surface of the rear panel1010 to rotate the drum 1030. In this regard, the drive unit 1050 may becoupled to the mounting groove portion 1012 of the rear panel 1010. Themounting groove portion 1012 may be an area depressed by a predetermineddepth from the rear surface of the rear panel 1010.

For example, the drive unit 1050 may include a motor 1051 having arotating shaft 1051 a and configured to supply power, a driving wheel1052 coupled to the driving shaft 1031, and a belt 1053 coupled to therotating shaft 1051 a and the driving wheel 1052 to transmit power fromthe motor 1051 to the driving wheel 1052. Thus, when the motor 1051rotates, the rotating shaft 1051 a of the motor 1051 may rotate the belt1053, whereby the driving wheel 1052 may be rotated and drive therotation of the drum 1030.

Washing objects may be accommodated inside the drum 1030. One or morewashing water introduction holes 1030 a may be formed on the outersurface of the drum 1030. Thus, washing water supplied to the tub 1020may be introduced into the drum 1030 via the washing water introductionholes 1030 a to wash washing objects contained therein.

Reinforcing ribs 1021 may be disposed in the rear portion of the tub1020 where the tub 1020 and the rear panel 1010 make contact with eachother. The terms related to directions referred hereinafter are definedas follows. The term “front” may refer to the direction extending fromthe rear panel 1010 toward the tub 1020 on the basis of FIG. 3, namelythe positive X-axis direction. The term “rear” may refer to thedirection extending from the tub 1020 toward the rear panel 1010 on thebasis of FIG. 3, namely the negative X-axis direction.

The reinforcing ribs 1021 may be formed along the outer circumferentialsurface of the rear portion of the tub 1020 to protrude radiallyoutward. The reinforcing ribs 1021 may include first reinforcing ribs1021 a extending in the circumferential direction of the tub 1020 andsecond reinforcing ribs 1021 b configured to couple the rear surfaces ofthe first reinforcing ribs 1021 a and the front surface of the rearpanel 1010. In this regard, the second reinforcing ribs 1021 b may bedisposed on the outer circumferential surface of the tub 1020 and spacedapart from one another in the circumferential direction. Some of thesecond reinforcing ribs 1021 b may extend toward the front side of thetub 1020.

The reinforcing ribs 1021 can distribute the potential stress imposed onthe portion where the tub 1020 and the rear panel 1010 couple to eachother. This can prevent damage of the tub 1020 or accidental separationof the tub 1020 from the rear panel 1010.

A tub front panel 1025 may be coupled to the front side of the tub 1020.The tub front panel 1025 may be coupled to the tub 1020 to form aninternal space in which the drum 1030 is disposed. A detour rib 1027 maybe disposed in the lower portion of the tub front panel 1025. The detourrib 1027 may protrude frontward from the front surface of the tub frontpanel 1025. The transverse opposite end portions of the detour rib 1027may be bent downward and thus have curved surfaces. As used herein, theterm “transverse” may refer to the left-right direction when thewall-mounted washing machine 1000 is viewed from the front side, namelythe Y-axis direction on the basis of FIG. 3.

A hot water heater power supply unit 1028 a for supplying electric powerto a hot water heater 1028 may be disposed under the detour rib 1027.Thus, the detour rib 1027 may prevent the washing water flowing out fromthe interior of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 from contactingthe hot water heater power supply unit 1028 a. In addition, an operationunit 1062 a coupled to the housing 1060 (described below) may bedisposed under the detour rib 1027. The detour rib 1027 may prevent thewashing water from entering the operation unit 1062 a.

An opening 1025 a may be formed in the tub front panel 1025. A gasket1029 for sealing may be coupled to the opening 1025 a of the tub frontpanel 1025. In this case, the edge portion that forms the opening 1025 aof the tub front panel 1025 may have a step-like shape to increase thecoupling strength with the gasket 1029. The gasket 1029 may seal a gapbetween the housing 1060 and the tub 1020 and may prevent foreignmaterials from entering the space between the tub front panel 1025 andthe drum 1030. The gasket 1029 is fitted to the opening 1025 a of thetub front panel 1025. At least part of the outer circumferential surfaceof the gasket 1029 may make selective contact with the door 1063 (to bedescribed below), and the remaining part of the outer circumferentialsurface of the gasket 1029 may make close contact with the opening 1025a. For example, the gasket 1029 may have a diameter corresponding to thediameter of the opening 1025 a of the tub front panel 1025. The gasket1029 may have a ring shape with the central portion thereof opened andmay be made of a rubber material.

A hot air introduction port 1025 b into which hot air discharged from ahot air supply duct 1043 of the drying device 1040 (to be describedbelow) is introduced and may be disposed in the front upper portion ofthe tub front panel 1025. The hot air introduced through the hot airintroduction port 1025 b may move toward the drum 1030 disposed insidethe tub 1020. A drying process using hot air is described in greaterdetail below.

The drying device 1040 for drying the washing objects may be disposed onthe outer surface of the tub 1020. Hereinafter, the detailedconfiguration of the drying device 1040 according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure is described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an exemplarydrying device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 12 is a front view showing the exemplary drying device according toone embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a sectional viewtaken along line XIII-XIII′ in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the drying device 1040 is a device fordrying the washing objects by supplying hot air into the tub 1020. Thedrying device 1040 may communicate with the front upper portion of thetub front panel 1025 and the rear lower portion of the tub 1020.

For example, the drying device 1040 may include a fan 1041 coupled tothe upper portion of the tub 1020 and configured to blow air, a hot airsupply duct 1043 coupled to the fan 1041 and configured to supply airintroduced by the fan 1041 into the tub 1020 through the hot airintroduction port 1025 b formed in the tub front panel 1025, a dryingheater 1045 disposed inside the hot air supply duct 1043 and configuredto heat the air introduced into the hot air supply duct 1043, and a hotair discharge duct 1047 coupled to the tub 1020 and configured to guideair passing through the tub 1020 toward the fan 1041 and to cool anddehumidify the air passing through the tub 1020.

In the drying device 1040 built in the wall-mounted washing machine 1000according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fan 1041, thehot air supply duct 1043, the tub 1020 and the hot air discharge duct1047 may form a closed air circulation path. In other words, the dryingdevice 1040 may perform a drying process by circulating air existinginside the wall-mounted washing machine 1000. That is, when the fan 1041of the drying device 1040 is operating, air is heated into a hot dry airby the drying heater 1045 while passing through the hot air supply duct1043. The hot dry air may be introduced into the tub 1020 to dry thewashing objects accommodated in the drum 1030. At this time, moisturefrom the washing objects is absorbed by the air existing in the tub1020, and thereby the washing objects are dried. The air containing alarge amount of moisture is then blown toward the hot air discharge duct1047 by the fan 1041 and is discharged to the outside.

A condensing water introduction port 1047 a into which condensing wateris introduced may be formed in the hot air discharge duct 1047. Aseparate connector 1047 f may be coupled to the condensing waterintroduction port 1047 a. A nozzle, a hose and the like for supplyingthe condensing water may be coupled to the connector 1047 f.

Condensing water (not shown) injected into the hot air discharge duct1047 through the condensing water introduction port 1047 a may condensethe air moisture as the air passes through the hot air discharge duct1047, thereby drying the air. That is, air is cooled and dehumidifiedwhile passing through the hot air discharge duct 1047. Thereafter, theair may be re-introduced into the fan 1041.

As described above, the drying device 1040 provided in the wall-mountedwashing machine 1000 according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure may enhance drying efficiency by efficiently supplying airinto the tub 1020 through the fan 1041 and/or efficiently dischargingair from the tub 1020.

At least one curved portion 1047 b may be formed on one surface of thehot air discharge duct 1047 opposed to the condensing water introductionport 1047 a. The curved portion 1047 b may bulge toward the condensingwater introduction port 1047 a. In the drawings, there is shown only onecurved portion 1047 b having a convex shape as a whole. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto. A plurality of curvedportions 1047 b may be formed in a wave shape or the like (see FIG. 10).

By forming the curved portion 1047 b on a surface of the hot airdischarge duct 1047, the contact area, path and the amount of time ofthe condensing water spent with the air passing through the hot airdischarge duct 1047 can be advantageously increased.

In other words, the condensing water injected into the hot air dischargeduct 1047 through the condensing water introduction port 1047 aencounters the curved portion 1047 b and then flows toward the lowerportion of the hot air discharge duct 1047 along the curved portion 1047b. This can increase the area and the time in which the condensing waterflows along the inner surface of the hot air discharge duct 1047,thereby increasing the contact area and the contact time of thecondensing water with the air existing in the hot air discharge duct1047. Consequently, the effect of dehumidifying and cooling the airintroduced into the fan 1041 is enhanced and the drying efficiency ofthe drying device 1040 is advantageously increased.

The condensing water introduction port 1047 a may be configured suchthat the area of the longitudinal cross section grows larger from thecentral portion toward the opposite end portions. For example, thecondensing water introduction port 1047 a may be configured such thatthe length L2 of the end portion becomes larger than the length L1 ofthe central portion (see FIG. 13). In addition, the condensing waterintroduction port 1047 a may be formed in a polygonal shape with therespective sides of the transverse cross section protruding inward. Forexample, the transverse cross section of the condensing waterintroduction port 1047 a may be formed in a rhombic shape in generalwith the respective sides of a rectangle protruding inward. As usedherein, the term “longitudinal” may refer to the Y-axis direction on thebasis of FIG. 3, namely the left-right direction when the wall-mountedwashing machine 1000 is viewed from the front side, and the term“transverse” may refer to the X-axis direction on the basis of FIG. 3,namely the front-rear direction when the wall-mounted washing machine1000 is viewed from the front side.

With the configuration of the condensing water introduction port 1047 aas described above, the surface area of the injected condensing waterincreases. This can advantageously increase the contact area of thecondensing water with the air flowing through the hot air discharge duct1047.

An exemplary method of drying washing objects with the drying device1040 is described as follows. When a drying operation is started, thefan 1041 is activated. As air moves along the hot air supply duct 1043by the operation of the fan 1041, the air is heated by the drying heater1045, whereby a hot air is generated. The hot air is sequentiallyintroduced into the tub 1020 and the drum 1030 through the tub frontpanel 1025. The hot air dries the washing objects by making contact withthe washing objects existing inside the drum 1030. Thereafter, hot airused for drying the washing objects is introduced into the hot airdischarge duct 1047 through a hot air discharge port 1024 disposed inthe rear lower portion of the tub 1020. As described above, the hot airis then dehumidified by the condensing water and is re-introduced intothe fan 1041. Such a process may be repeatedly performed to carry outthe drying operation.

To enhance the drying efficiency of the drying device 1040, one endportion of the hot air supply duct 1043 may be coupled to the fan 1041.The other end portion of the hot air supply duct 1043, namely the endportion of the hot air supply duct 1043 on the side of the tub frontpanel 1025, to which the hot air is supplied, may be coupled to thefront upper portion of the tub front panel 1025. In this case, the hotair supply duct 1043 may include a portion extending along the uppersurface of the tub 1020 and a portion bent from the extended end portiontoward the front surface of the tub 1020 (extending downward). Thus, theother end portion of the hot air supply duct 1043 may be coupled to thefront surface of the tub front panel 1025.

Furthermore, one end portion of the hot air discharge duct 1047 may becoupled to the fan 1041. The other end portion of the hot air dischargeduct 1047, namely the end portion of the hot air discharge duct 1047 onthe side of the tub 1020, through which the hot air is introduced fromthe tub 1020 into the drying device 1040, may be coupled to the lowerrear side of the side surface of the tub 1020. In other words, the otherend portion of the hot air supply duct 1043 may be biased frontward onthe basis of a centerline C1 shown in FIG. 8 and may be coupled to thetub front panel 1025 above a centerline C2 shown in FIG. 7. The otherend portion of the hot air discharge duct 1047 may be biased rearward onthe side surface of the tub 1020 on the basis of the centerline C1 shownin FIG. 8 and may be coupled to the tub 1020 below the centerline C2shown in FIG. 7.

By coupling the hot air supply duct 1043 and the hot air discharge duct1047 to the front upper portion of the tub 1020 and the lower rear sideof the side surface of the tub 1020 as described above, hot air isintroduced from the hot air supply duct 1043 toward the front side ofthe tub 1020. After drying the washing objects accommodated in the drum1030, the hot air is discharged through the hot air discharge duct 1047on the rear side of the tub 1020. Thus, hot air supplied to the tub 1020through the drying device 1040 can be circulated through the interior ofthe drum 1030 as a whole. Consequently, the drying efficiency of thewashing objects can be enhanced. A water level detecting sensor 1070 maybe coupled to the tub front panel 1025. The water level detecting sensor1070 may be, for example, a pressure sensor. The water level detectingsensor 1070 may be coupled to a separate pipe branched from the waterdrain device 1023 of the tub 1020 and can measure the internal pressureof the tub 1020. The water level detecting sensor 1070 may measure theamount of the washing water stored in the tub 1020 by sensing theinternal water pressure of the tub 1020.

As one example, the water level detecting sensor 1070 may be disposed inthe front upper portion of the tub front panel 1025. In this case, thewater level detecting sensor 1070 may be disposed more frontward thanthe drying device 1040 disposed above the tub 1020. More specifically,the fan 1041 in the drying device 1040 may be disposed more rearwardthan the water level detecting sensor 1070.

The water level detecting sensor 1070 can be sensitive to heat as it haselectronic parts. In other words, when heat is applied to the waterlevel detecting sensor 1070, the water level detecting sensor 1070 mayfail to operate properly or may even be damaged. Accordingly, it isimportant to set the positional relationship between the water leveldetecting sensor 1070 and the drying device 1040 including the dryingheater 1045 as it produces heat.

In the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure, the water level detecting sensor 1070 may bedisposed more adjacent to the fan 1041 than the hot air supply duct 1043of the drying device 1040. In other words, the distance between thewater level detecting sensor 1070 and the fan 1041 may be shorter thanthe distance between the water level detecting sensor 1070 and the hotair supply duct 1043. In this regard, the distance between certain twomembers refers to the minimum distance between the two members. Whenviewed as a whole, the water level detecting sensor 1070 may be biasedtoward the hot air discharge duct 1047 of the drying device 1040 on thebasis of the drying device 1040.

During the operation of the drying device 1040, air passing through thefan 1041 of the drying device 1040 moves along the hot air supply duct1043 and is heated by the drying heater 1045. Thereafter, air passingthrough the tub 1020 and the drum 1030 is cooled and dehumidified by thecondensing water while moving along the hot air discharge duct 1047.Thus, the temperature of the air when it is just introduced into the fan1041 may be the lowest in the entire air circulation lines of the dryingdevice 1040. As a result, in the wall-mounted washing machine 1000according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, overheating ofthe water level detecting sensor 1070 may be prevented by positioningthe water level detecting sensor 1070 adjacent to the fan 1041.

The housing 1060 may be coupled to the rear panel 1010. The housing 1060is a member coupled to the rear panel 1010 and forms an outer shell ofthe wall-mounted washing machine 1000. The housing 1060 may include aside cover 1061 open on the front and rear sides thereof and coupled tothe rim of the rear panel 1010 on the rear side thereof, a front cover1062 coupled to the open front side of the side cover 1061 and having anopening 1062 b, and a door 1063 rotatably coupled to the front cover1062 and configured to selectively close and open the opening 1062 b.

An operation unit 1062 a may be disposed in the front cover 1062. Theoperation unit 1062 a is provided to enable a user to control thewall-mounted washing machine 1000. Buttons of the operation unit 1062 amay be exposed through the front cover 1062. The operation unit 1062 amay be entirely disposed under the detour rib 1027 formed in the tubfront panel 1025 described above. Thus, the washing water leaked fromthe interior of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 may flow along thedetour rib 1027 without entering the operation unit 1062 a.

A hinge coupling portion 1062 c may be formed in the front cover 1062.The hinge coupling portion 1062 c may be disposed on the front surfaceof the front cover 1062 and is depressed by a predetermined depth. Adoor hinge 1063 a may be coupled to the hinge coupling portion 1062 c.

The door 1063 is used to open and close the opening 1062 b of the frontcover 1062. For example, the door 1063 may be coupled to the front cover1062 via the door hinge 1063 a. A user may close or open the door 1063using a handle of the door 1063. Alternatively, the door 1063 may be anelectronic door opened or closed in a one touch manner through anoperation button in the front cover 1062.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, and that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Theexemplary embodiments disclosed in the specification of the presentdisclosure do not limit the present disclosure. The scope of the presentdisclosure will be interpreted by the claims below, and it will beconstrued that all techniques within the scope equivalent thereto belongto the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising: atub; and a drying device comprising: a fan coupled to the tub andconfigured to propel air; a hot air supply duct coupled to the fan andconfigured to guide air flowing from the fan into the tub; a dryingheater disposed inside the hot air supply duct and configured to heatair in the hot air supply duct; and a hot air discharge duct coupled tothe tub and configured to: guide air passing through the tub toward thefan; and cool and dehumidify air passing through the tub, wherein thefan is configured to draw air from the hot air discharge duct for supplyto the hot air supply duct.
 2. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim1, wherein the fan, the hot air supply duct, the tub and the hot airdischarge duct are configured to form a closed air circulation path. 3.The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 1, wherein the drying devicefurther comprises a condensing water introduction port through whichcondensing water is introduced, wherein the condensing waterintroduction port is disposed in the hot air discharge duct.
 4. Thewall-mounted washing machine of claim 3, wherein at least one curvedportion is formed on one surface of the hot air discharge duct oppositeto the condensing water introduction port.
 5. The wall-mounted washingmachine of claim 3, wherein one surface of the hot air discharge duct iscurved to bulge toward the condensing water introduction port.
 6. Thewall-mounted washing machine of claim 3, wherein an area of alongitudinal cross section of the condensing water introduction portgrows larger from a central portion thereof toward opposite end portionsthereof.
 7. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 1 furthercomprising: a rear panel configured to support the tub and couple thetub to a wall surface; a drum rotatably installed inside the tub andconfigured to accommodate washing objects; and a tub front panel coupledto a front surface of the tub.
 8. The wall-mounted washing machine ofclaim 7, wherein the drying device is configured to communicate with afront upper portion of the tub front panel and a rear lower portion ofthe tub.
 9. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 7, wherein an endportion of the hot air supply duct on a side of the tub front panel iscoupled to a front upper portion of the tub front panel, and wherein anend portion of the hot air discharge duct on a side of the tub iscoupled to a rear lower portion of the tub.
 10. The wall-mounted washingmachine of claim 7, wherein the drying device further comprises: a hotair introduction port disposed in a front upper portion of the tub frontpanel and configured to introduce hot air discharged from the hot airsupply duct; and a hot air discharge port disposed in a rear lowerportion of the tub and configured to discharge hot air passing throughthe drum.
 11. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 6, wherein: thedrying heater is configured, when the fan is activated, to heat airmoving along the hot air supply duct; and heated air is introduced intothe tub through the tub front panel; and air passing through the tub iscooled and dehumidified by condensing water before being re-introducedinto the fan.
 12. The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 7, whereinthe rear panel comprises at least one vent hole for circulating air. 13.The wall-mounted washing machine of claim 7, wherein the rear panelcomprises a plurality of ribs disposed on a rear surface of the rearpanel, and wherein end portions of the ribs comprise cut-away portionsforming air circulation grooves.